It’s the one thing you can count on

I first heard “Elevator Love Letter” in January, 2004, and it was an absolute revelation.  Ever since then I’ve been convinced that Stars have a truly world-class album in them.  2005’s Set Yourself On Fire hinted at this, but never quite arrived.  Then came In Our Bedroom After The War which was fine, but given my lofty expectations couldn’t help but be a major letdown.  What happened to the glitter, the magic, the feeling that something pure beyond belief was spilling out of your speakers?  I mean, I understand the desire to expand your sonic territory, but when you can make songs as achingly beautiful as “Elevator Love Letter” or “Ageless Beauty” why wouldn’t you do so?

Since then, we got the Sad Robots EP a couple years ago, with five mediocre tracks and one piece (“14 Forever”) that reminded me of just how amazing they can be.

Well, their new full-length is due out next month, and the big question is which iteration they’re going to be working with.  Based on the one track I’ve heard so far, things are looking promising.

Fixed – Stars

“Fixed” has the same full-fledged energy as the best songs from Set Yourself on Fire, and put Amy Millan’s voice right at the front – where it ought to be.  Most importantly, it’s driven by an impulse to go big and bright.  The keyboards twinkle and dance, the vocals are full of the sort of lilting swings and dances that make my heart feel all fluttery.  The only complaint I’ve got is that it never quite hits the top gear.  You get the sense that a big chorus–or going in the precise opposite direction, a bridge to cool things off–would turn this from a good song into something capable of stopping the world.

While we’re on the subject, you can hear the second song streaming at Pitchfork.  “We Don’t Want Your Body” has a much more prominent 80s vibe and strays a bit too far into  disco-synth territory but it’s hard to argue with the energy on display there.